Quality Contacts with Children and Caregivers

Assess the following during contacts with children and caregivers:

 The safety of the child (Observe the physical environment of the home, the child’s health and physical condition, the adequacy of the child’s sleeping quarters, the adequacy of nutrition and clothing provided the child.)

 The caregiver’s and the child’s adjustment to each other (Observe interactions between the child and the caregiver and ask them to describe the home environment.)

 The ability of the caregiver to meet the child’s needs (Obtain updates on the child’s physical health, education, behavioral health, culture, religion, and recreation/socialization. Assess whether the caregiver has the skills to meet these needs, whether sufficient services are being provided, and whether the caregiver needs additional resources.)

 The health and developmental progress of the child (Obtain updates on the child’s functioning in hearing, vision, speech and language, education, physical health, motor skills, social skills)

 The caregiver’s support of the case plan (Ask the caregiver’s thoughts and feelings about the permanency goal, visitation arrangements, and services to the child and caregiver. Ask if he/she is comfortable with and able to perform the tasks and responsibilities assigned to him/her in the case plan)

Provide the child current and accurate information, and the opportunity to have input*, regarding:

 The reasons for initial or continued placement  The roles and responsibilities of all service team members  The permanency goal and permanency plan  The concurrent permanency goal and concurrent plan, if applicable  The frequency and other aspects of visitation with parents and/or siblings  Visitation or other contact with relatives, friends, and former caregivers  Services available or being provided to the parents and the parents’ progress  Services available or being provided to the child and/or caregiver  Any changes in plans, visitation, services, etc. since the last1 contact  Methods for contacting the case manager

* The opportunity to have input means the child is encouraged to share thoughts, express feelings, identify needs and strengths, evaluate progress, and request services or changes to the case plan.

KG: 9-2-04 During contact with the child’s caregiver, provide current and accurate information, including:

 Information to address questions, concerns, or service needs raised during this or previous contacts

 Information to address any problems or issues related to the care of the child, including information on positive discipline techniques when needed

 A copy of the current written case plan, including notification of the permanency goal and concurrent permanency goal, if applicable

 A description of the tasks and responsibilities of the caregiver

 The dates, times, and locations of all scheduled staffings, court hearings, FCRB meetings, and other appointments pertaining to the child

If the child is in out-of-home care, also provide the out-of-home caregiver:

 Information on any changes in visitation, services, family circumstances which are likely to affect the child

 A current projection of the length of time the child will require placement

 Notification of any planned move of the child, at least two weeks in advance

 Copies of any records or other information pertaining to the child obtained since the last contact—including birth certificates, social security cards, CMDP cards, and educational, physical health, or mental/behavioral health records

 Copies of all Initial, Progress, and Permanency Reports to the Court, without the attachments (if requested by the out-of-home caregiver)

 An updated Child’s Placement Packet (at least every 6 months, including an updated medical summary report)

Hint: During the face-to-face contact in the month or so prior to the case plan staffing pertaining to the child, review the out-of-home care plan in detail with the child and out-of-home caregiver. Using the child’s and caregiver’s input, draft a revised out-of-home care plan to be presented to the remainder of the service team during the case plan staffing.